The mysteries of the physical world speak to us through equations--compact statements about the way nature works, expressed in nature's language, mathematics. In this book by the renowned Dutch physicist Sander Bais, the equations that govern our world unfold in all their formal grace--and their deeper meaning as core symbols of our civilization.
Trying to explain science without equations is like trying to explain art without illustrations. Consequently Bais has produced a book that, unlike any other aimed at nonscientists, delves into the details--historical, biographical, practical, philosophical, and mathematical--of seventeen equations that form the very basis of what we know of the universe today. A mathematical "objet d'art" in its own right, the book conveys the transcendent excitement and beauty of these icons of knowledge as they reveal and embody the fundamental truths of physical reality.
These are the seventeen equations that represent radical turning points in our understanding--from mechanics to electrodynamics, hydrodynamics to relativity, quantum mechanics to string theory--their meanings revealed through the careful and critical observation of patterns and motions in nature. Mercifully short on dry theoretical elaborations, the book presents these equations as they are--with the information about their variables, history, and applications that allows us to chart their critical function, and their crucial place, in the complex web of modern science.
Reading "The Equations," we can hear nature speaking to us in its native language.
Show moreThe mysteries of the physical world speak to us through equations--compact statements about the way nature works, expressed in nature's language, mathematics. In this book by the renowned Dutch physicist Sander Bais, the equations that govern our world unfold in all their formal grace--and their deeper meaning as core symbols of our civilization.
Trying to explain science without equations is like trying to explain art without illustrations. Consequently Bais has produced a book that, unlike any other aimed at nonscientists, delves into the details--historical, biographical, practical, philosophical, and mathematical--of seventeen equations that form the very basis of what we know of the universe today. A mathematical "objet d'art" in its own right, the book conveys the transcendent excitement and beauty of these icons of knowledge as they reveal and embody the fundamental truths of physical reality.
These are the seventeen equations that represent radical turning points in our understanding--from mechanics to electrodynamics, hydrodynamics to relativity, quantum mechanics to string theory--their meanings revealed through the careful and critical observation of patterns and motions in nature. Mercifully short on dry theoretical elaborations, the book presents these equations as they are--with the information about their variables, history, and applications that allows us to chart their critical function, and their crucial place, in the complex web of modern science.
Reading "The Equations," we can hear nature speaking to us in its native language.
Show moreSander Bais is a theoretical physicist at the University of Amsterdam.
An intriguing little book...founded on a quarrel with what the
author calls the 'fashionable dogma' of not including equations in
science books intended for general readers. 'The veto is like
asking somebody to explain art without showing pictures, ' Bais
argues. And he's right. His book is worth a look for anyone feeling
brave enough to journey into the language of physical science on
its own ground: the "terra firma" of mathematics.--Anthony
Doerr"Boston Globe" (01/15/2006)
The author writes clearly and incisively about the physical
ideas... Most books of this genre take it as axiomatic that they
must avoid equations. Bais embraces them, building his book around
the equations of physics and using them as the vehicle for
describing the counter-intuitive world of relativity theory,
quantum mechanics, and string theory.--David M. Bressoud,
Mathematical Association Of America
In addition to its pedagogical value, Bais's book presents these
icons of our physical world in all their beauty. It is very good to
be reminded of this.--Malcolm Longair"Nature" (03/23/2006)
Let me say at once that I learnt a great deal from the author's
broad-brush approach...The physics is very readable, with
connections between different parts of the subject made well. And
because the book is so short, the reader has a real chance to see
"the big picture."..There is no doubt that "The Equations" is a
bold and original book. And, in my view, imagination of this kind
will be needed in the future if maths and science education is to
avoid sliding gradually into lightweight stuff about what Newton
ate for breakfast.--David Acheson"Times Higher Education
Supplement" (03/10/2006)
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